10 Hot Concepts Coming for the Chicken Crown

Florida-based Huey Magoo’s is another chicken concept with hefty experience behind it. In November 2016, the concept, founded by Matt Armstrong and Thad Hudgens in 2014 near the University of Central Florida, was sold to a four former Wingstop executives. Ex-chief marketing officer Andy Howard, who has more than 35 years of industry experience, stepped in as president and CEO. Along with the original founders, Wes Jablonski, chairman of the board, Mike Sutter, executive vice president of operations and training, Shawn Lawler, operations supervisor, and Bill Knight, member of the board of directors, Huey Magoo’s is set for major growth. The tenders are always fresh (steroid and hormone free) and are served hand-breaded and made to order or grilled, and marinated for 24 hours. Yahoo News even voted the concept as the best Fried Chicken in Florida.

There are seven units around Orlando, all about 1,800–2,200 square feet. Aramark runs a college campus location while the rest are in strip malls. Three franchises are set to open this year, including a Daytona Beach location before the concept sets tis franchise growth nationwide. “We want to pick quality franchisees and make sure they love Huey Magoo’s as much as I do, have the drive and passion, and give over-the-top hospitality to every one of our customers,” Howard told QSR.